Long story short: I lost a bet and ended up watching Season One of this series on HBO. Once I learned to tell when excessive gore was coming, and could therefore shut my eyes and ears and let it pass by, I could relax and enjoy the richly drawn characters — played by engaging actors — and engrossing, surprise-laden storyline. Bonuses: sly humor and a villain that ranks among the absolute worst. 9 p.m. Sundays on HBO.

Flower power rules in this highlight from “Gary Hill: glossodelic attractors,” a retrospective of the Seattle video artist’s career at the Henry Art Gallery through Sept. 16. On one wall, a fantastical 3-D figure holding test tubes filled with flowers gazes out from beneath an elaborate molecular headdress. Opposite him, caught on video, dozens of figures step forward to accept a single blossom from his disembodied hand. Their reactions to his gift are as varied as the flowers themselves (www.henryart.org).

Michael Upchurch,

Seattle Times arts writer

Food

Chocolopolis

The only thing better than nibbling on good chocolate is knowing that it’s free. Chocolopolis, the Queen Anne store that features more than 200 bars of chocolate, provides plenty of samples from 5-9 p.m. every Thursday, showcasing a different region or acclaimed chocolate maker. 1527 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle (206-282-0776orwww.chocolopolis.com).